WASHINGTON − A group of ice cream makers that produce 90% of the nation’s ice cream and frozen dairy desserts are pledging to eliminate many artificial food dyes from their offerings by the end of 2027.
The announcement, less than a week before the National Ice Cream Day on July 20, is expected to be made by the International Dairy Foods Association, a trade group for dairy companies, in conjunction with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has championed the cause through his Make America Healthy Again platform.
Kennedy, who has long blamed America’s chronic health problems, including obesity and heart disease, on the food industry, announced in April that eight artificial dyes will be phased out from medications and the nation’s food supply by the end of 2026, including those found in candy, ice cream, soft drinks and jams.
The voluntary effort will eliminate the use of certified artificial colors Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.
“I applaud the International Dairy Foods Association for stepping up to eliminate certified artificial colors,” Kennedy said in a statement to USA TODAY. “The American people have made it clear—they want real food, not chemicals.”
Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA, said he was “proud of ice cream makers and dairy foods companies for stepping up for American families.”
The average American eats roughly 19 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons, according to the trade group. In 2024, the United States produced approximately 1.31 billion gallons of ice cream.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. and ice cream makers churn up dye-free ice cream
